DETROIT, MI – The mausoleum at Woodmere Cemetery on Fort Street in southwest Detroit overlooks lush green grass crowded by ornate granite headstones etched with the names of people who died more than a century ago.

The mausoleum, some of the windows boarded, others with broken panes, was targeted by vandals sometime prior to 1 p.m. Thursday when employees found graffiti and broken glass.

Police said vandals toppled urns and spread the ashes of the dead.

The cemetery's management has released few details and declined MLive Detroit's request to see the damage Friday, citing an ongoing police investigation as the reason.

The mausoleum, usually open during business hours, was closed to the public Friday.

Groundskeepers and management staff said they wouldn't discuss the incident and deferred comment to Donna Campbell, the attorney for MMG, the company that manages the private cemetery.

Staff in the office issued a press release that states the majority of the affected urns contained the remains of people who died between 1980 and 1990. The number of urns broken or emptied was not provided.

"Families impacted will be notified as soon as is practical," said a statement from the cemetery, and questions may be directed Donna Campbell, 248-290-0338, ext. 114.